Giancarlo Pirrone was driving to work 18 years ago when he spotted a house for sale at 280 Beverly Road in Ansley Park. The architect and developer (and co-owner of upscale pizzeria Varuni Napoli) was drawn to the modern home’s strong geometric lines and minimalist design, and he immediately contacted the realtor. After touring the 2,574-square-foot house, he made an offer on the spot.
Photograph courtesy of Atlanta Fine Homes Sotheby’s
Pirrone, who studied architecture at Columbia University and has designed and restored a number of residential properties over the years, has a keen eye for detail and is a self-confessed modernist at heart. “This home was amazing for its time and still beats all the semi-modern imitations we see around the city. It could have been designed by Walter Gropius,” he said, referring to the German architect who founded the Bauhaus School and is widely regarded as a pioneer of the modernist movement.
Photograph courtesy of Atlanta Fine Homes Sotheby’s
Photograph courtesy of Atlanta Fine Homes Sotheby’s
Built in 1986, the three-bedroom, three-and-a-half bath house features pickled oak hardwood floors, large windows, soaring ceilings, a unique glass roof, and an open three-story atrium. The first floor has a spacious living room, a formal dining room, a guest room, and a master suite with a fireplace, spa bath and dressing room. The gourmet kitchen boasts sleek designer cabinets, Corian countertops, stainless steel LG and Miele appliances, and a separate breakfast area. Upstairs there’s a second master bedroom and bath, a loft office, and a large bonus room. The attic level has a sunroom, a Swedish sauna room, and a steam room.
Photograph courtesy of Atlanta Fine Homes Sotheby’s
The home also has plenty of high-end technology, including four separate phone lines, high-speed wiring, cable in every room, a state-of-the-art security system, and sophisticated lighting and sound systems, both of which can be operated remotely. Pirrone recently installed a high-efficiency heating and air conditioning system that saves energy and reduces utility bills.
Outside is a two-car garage and a private courtyard with a hot tub and a fountain. The meticulously landscaped grounds feature a diverse mix of flowering plants, shrubs, and trees, including azaleas, camellias, gardenias, ferns, hollies, hostas, rhododendrons, Japanese maples, spruces, and a variety of fruit trees.
Photograph courtesy of Atlanta Fine Homes Sotheby’s
Pirrone says his favorite feature is the openness of the home’s interior. “You can see the entire space from almost every room,” he said, noting that the house is ideal for showcasing artwork and furnishings.
Photograph courtesy of Atlanta Fine Homes Sotheby’s
Although he has enjoyed the home and has raised two daughters there, he recently found a larger house that better suits his lifestyle, which includes hosting a variety of social events such as dinner clubs, jazz concerts, and gatherings of the Italian Cultural and Conversation Club of Atlanta. “Although most people are downsizing at this point in their lives, I actually need more room for parties and other get-togethers,” he said.
This Ansley Park home is on the market for $1,250,000. For more information, contact Jared Sapp of Atlanta Fine Homes Sotheby’s International Realty at 404-668-7233 or jared@jaredsapp.com.
